Unemployment Extension - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

President Bush signed The Unemployment Extension Act of 2008 into law Friday, lengthening the period of government assistance to Americans struggling in the shrinking job market.

The measure helps people whose benefits have recently expired, extending benefits by seven weeks in all states, and extending them for another 13 weeks on top of that in states with unemployment rates that have averaged 6% or higher over the most recent three months.(See state unemployment rates.)

So those who live in a high unemployment states will receive a total of 20 more weeks and nearly half of the states fit that criteria as of October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

AROUND THE WEB

CNNMoney: How Unemployed is Unemployed?

SFGate.com: Congress OKs 2nd extension of jobless benefits

AP : Bush signs jobless benefits extension

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About.com : Unemployment Extension
November 21 Update: President Bush signed an extension of unemployment insurance today. The extended unemployment benefits will be administered by the state unemployment offices. So, check on your unemployment office web site for details on the extension.

OpenCongress.org : Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008

AFLCIO : House Considers Unemployment Insurance Extension

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